Beethoven’s original title page of his monumental Eroica symphony bears the evidence. The great composer's assistant Ferdinand Ries tells the story in his contemporary biography of Beethoven:
"In writing this symphony Beethoven had been thinking of Bonaparte, but Bonaparte while he was First Consol. At that time Beethoven had the highest esteem for him and compared him to the greatest consuls of ancient Rome. Not only I, but many of Beethoven's closer friends, saw this symphony on his table, beautifully copied in manuscript, with the word 'Bonaparte' inscribed at the very top of the title-page and 'Ludwig van Beethoven' at the very bottom. …I was the first to tell him the news that Bonaparte had declared himself Emperor, whereupon he broke into a rage and exclaimed, 'So he is no more than a common mortal! Now, too, he will tread under foot all the rights of man, indulge only his ambition; now he will think himself superior to all men, become a tyrant!' Beethoven went to the table, seized the top of the title-page, tore it in half and threw it on the floor. The page had to be re-copied and it was only now that the symphony received the title 'Sinfonia eroica'."
A particular trauma for Beethoven occurred during this period in 1809, when the attacking forces of Napoleon bombarded Vienna. Beethoven, very worried that the noise would destroy what remained of his hearing, reportedly hid in the basement of his brother's house, covering his ears with pillows.
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